I was able to locate a rental Shield Plus to shoot today.
Gun had (according to the store) approximately 500 rounds; s/n was "JHAxnnn", if I recall correctly. They issued it to me with the 13 round mag.
I compared it shooting with my Glock 19 MOS+Holosun 507c EDC as well as my Ruger LCR .38. I used American Eagle 115 FMJ range ammo for the 9mm, and S&B 158 g wadcutters shooting the LCR. (I normally have the snubby loaded with Federal Gold Medal Match 158 g wadcutters for carry.) Range varied from 5 to 10 yards.
Objective Comments
The two compare favorably size-wize:
Based on research on weights and measures here and online, I've setup a spreadsheet comparison of these three, with both Shield options, below.
Weight = loaded and chambered for carry, with an allowance for a kydex holster (i.e. the weight of the rig, bedside).
Oz per round of the Plus compares favorably with oz/round metrics for other pistols I've owned, used, especially loaded with the 13, although I would carry it flat. (FWIW, the lowest oz/round number I've calculated was a G43X+Shield Arms S15 mag).
I shot perhaps 35 rounds, and had zero malfunctions. I had no issues as a lefty, or with the mag release, which seemed "normal". The order was to shoot my G19, then the Plus, then the LCR, then back to the Plus.
Subjective Comments
Pistol was accurate for me, a lefty. This was the first round at five yards. The circle is a B-8 Black (5.54") and the aiming dot is 0.5".
I had to adjust to the iron sights again. I was looking from the sights, to the target, and back. I realized how much more I like shooting dots. It's just so effortless compared to irons. I had to carefully align the front and rear, then remember to center on the target. With a dot, it's see dot, press trigger. I think "for me" where I am at this point (I'm about six months into dots) the time it takes to align irons, then align the target, is about the same as I am aligning the dot. My dot index has improved of late; obviously not the same but I shot my G34 yesterday at 25 yards two handed unsupported for a 95-3X, after last weeks 95-0X. Dots are no joke.
So I didn't like the sights.
What else?
The gun felt about like most of the small thin 9mms. I didn't perceive as particularly soft or hard, relative to the G48 / P365 / P365XL. I would score the recoil impulse from softest to hardest as G48 -> P365XL -> Shield Plus/P365 (tie) -> G43X.
I shot my LCR and Plus back to back, and the recoil was about the same.
The trigger was awesome, maybe too awesome. It seemed this one had a very short travel up to a crisp break.
The gun did not squirm while shooting, something I still vividly remember shooting a Shield 1.0, many years ago. The grip seems about perfect, albeit I wished they had the 10 round mag available. The texture was neither rough nor smooth.
I think for what the gun is, S&W will sell a bunch of them.
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Originally Posted by RJ
